A nine-year-old boy who beat Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas and Aaron Lennon to win Everton's goal of the month award has been hailed as an inspiration by manager Roberto Martinez.

George Shaw, who has cerebral palsy, recorded a landslide win in the January poll with 86 per cent of the vote after he scored at the Gwladys Street end at half-time of the match against Swansea.

He was invited to the game by Gerard Deulofeu after an inspiring video of the youngster playing football in the Spaniard's number 19 shirt went viral across the internet.

"Everything started in George's head and that is what impresses me the most," said Martinez, who presented the nine-year-old with his award at the club's Finch Farm training complex on Thursday morning.